By Daniel Harrold
These stories aim to explore the complexities of Division One track and field at Texas State University, offering a more in-depth look into the program.
The Realities of Being A Student-Athlete: Sport, Life, Self
Balancing academics and athletics is no small feat, especially for Division I student-athletes. This article provides insights into the lives of Ma’Khi Falkquay and Kerris Roberts, two track and field athletes at Texas State University who share their unique experiences of navigating college athletics, academic pressures, and personal growth. Through their stories, we explore the highs, lows, and life lessons they’ve gained from competing at a national level.
Hometown and Early Athletic Careers
Ma’Khi Falkquay hails from Austin, Texas. She grew up in a city known for its diversity and vibrant culture, which shaped her outlook on life and athletics. Describing Austin, she remarked, “It’s very diverse; it’s a fun city to grow up in. I just think that there’s a lot of outdoor activities that really pushed me to be active and to explore life outside the box,” Falkquay said.
Kerris Roberts, on the other hand, is from Waterloo, Iowa, where she developed a strong foundation in athletics through community support. Her journey into athletics was deeply influenced by the encouragement she received. Roberts expressed, “I ended up going out for track because my mom doesn’t like us to be very idle. She wants us to be doing things at all times.” This supportive environment fueled her passion for track, which she discovered by saying, “I went out for it, and I ended up being good.”
Both athletes started their athletic careers with a passion for running that soon developed into serious commitments. Roberts recalled her high school years, saying, “I think I started to lose my love for basketball because I’ve done it probably since I was four,” but added, “Thankfully, I had the track option.”
Choosing Division I Athletics
For Falkquay, the decision to pursue Division I athletics was both practical and passion-driven. “What made me choose [Division I] was, pretty much, I’m going to be very transparent. I knew that yes, my mom and dad make a lot of money, but paying for college was something I did not want them to worry about,” she explained. Roberts had similar motivations, but her decision was also about obtaining a degree debt-free. “I’m very thankful, very grateful,” she said, referring to her scholarship offer, which she earned at the prestigious Drake Relays. The Drake Relays, held annually in Des Moines, Iowa, are one of the most historic and celebrated track and field events in the United States, attracting top athletes and fostering a legacy of excellence since 1910.
Both athletes saw Division I athletics as an opportunity to not only grow as competitors but also to open doors for their future careers.
Challenges of Being a Student-Athlete
The transition from high school athletics to the rigors of college sports came with its own set of challenges. Falkquay described the difficulties she faced adjusting to a new training environment after transferring from another university. “I was very immature realizing…coming from training with just my mom and then having to go and train with other people,” she said. This adjustment period was critical in her development, both as an athlete and as a person.
Roberts echoed the sentiment, particularly in how college athletics was a completely different atmosphere. “Someone’s dad coaching us in high school. So it was just definitely a transition,” she said. This mental fortitude was especially important when both athletes competed at Nationals, an experience that required them to push beyond their limits.
Balancing Academics, Athletics, and Life
Balancing life as a student-athlete isn’t just about competing on the track—it’s also about finding harmony between athletics, academics, and personal life. Falkquay, who also holds a leadership position in the Black Student Alliance on campus, spoke about the importance of staying organized. “I use the Calendar app a lot because I am on the executive board for an organization on campus,” she mentioned. This helped her stay on top of both her athletic schedule and extracurricular commitments.
Roberts, who is also actively involved in her community and campus organizations, shared how she manages her relationships off the track: “It wasn’t as hard to navigate from a friendship point of view,” she said. She emphasized how bonding with her teammates helped foster strong relationships off the track. “When it comes to social events, if I’m not able to attend, my friend group likely won’t either because we’re in the same atmosphere with similar schedules.” This ultimately helped her find that community away from practice with team bonding and other activities. Both athletes expressed how crucial time management is, not only for their success on the track but also for maintaining relationships and staying grounded.
The Reality of Sacrifice
One of the most significant aspects of being a student-athlete is the level of sacrifice involved. Falkquay shared how she often has to miss out on social events to ensure her body is ready for competition. “I have to make those sacrifices to make sure my body will be at 100% that I need to be on that specific day,” she said. This level of dedication can be isolating, but it’s a necessary part of competing at such a high level.
For Roberts, the sacrifices were personal as well as social. “It was hard, I would say, still communicating with people back home and my family,” she said. Roberts wanted others to know that “It is not all sunshine and rainbows like people think.” These sacrifices highlight the unique challenges student-athletes face that many outside the athletic community may not fully understand.
Perceptions and Misconceptions of Student-Athletes
Both Falkquay and Roberts addressed common misconceptions about student-athletes, particularly the notion that their lives are easier because their education is often paid for. “Just because we’re student-athletes and some of us may be the face of our school, it’s okay for us to be like, ‘Hey professor, I’m just not understanding this.’ We’re still humans, and we still have our hard days,” Falkquay emphasized.
Roberts added, “I also feel like a lot of times, people equate student-athletes to what they see, like football players and basketball players, and they are very fortunate and have different resources. I think we live different lives. I think those are different experiences.” She continued, “The things that you see in place, the resources, they are there for a reason. We’re not just given things for the heck of it. We do actually need that extra support in order to sort of level the playing field between those who are athletes and those who are not.” Their reflections shed light on the complexity of balancing athletic commitments with academics and personal life.
Advice for Future Athletes
Both Falkquay and Roberts offered advice for future athletes who aspire to compete at the collegiate level. Falkquay shared, “Start reading the Bible, start abiding by some of the principles, getting closer with God. When you get closer with God, that’s how you know your true identity.” Roberts stated, “The biggest thing is be disciplined and have some sort of structure, have some sort of consistency, some sort of schedule. Because especially coming in, you have all this freedom. You have all this time. You’re essentially in charge of your own life. You do have to operate within some parameters, obviously, but you need to determine what it is that you want to do, and then figure out what it takes to get there. If that means that you have to miss this party, or you have to miss this event, or you can’t hang out with this person, there are going to be sacrifices.”
Conclusion
The experiences of Ma’Khi Falkquay and Kerris Roberts illustrate the intricate balance required to succeed as student-athletes at the Division I level. Their stories are a testament to the dedication, sacrifice, and mental toughness needed to thrive in both athletics and academics. Their journeys provide valuable insights for future athletes, reminding us all of the resilience and strength it takes to compete at the highest levels.
The Foundation: Track and Field Athletes Detail The Importance Of Strength and Conditioning At Texas State University
Ma’Khi Falkquay and Taejha Badal share the importance of strength, conditioning, and nutrition in track and field.
All-Access To Divison One pole Vaulters At Texas State University
There is no limit for pole voters, they are constantly developing and searching for ways to reach New Heights. Here at Texas State University, the Track and Field program is looking to truly break the ceiling this upcoming season. 
Texas State University has introduced a new assistant pole vault coach Calie Spencer, who was an athlete at the University of Texas. She brings a rich history of competing at the highest level and is looking to elevate the athletes in this program. 
I was able to catch up with Texas State University’s track and field pole voters Billy Eaton, Simon Thor, and Brianna Brandes at practice to witness history in the making for this new bobcat family. 
The pole vault mat is made up of soft double-layered padding and usually remains covered to preserve the structural integrity of the foam padding. Two metal hoists hold the pole in balance within the air as pole vaulters go over. There’s also a runway in front of the mat that allows vaulters to build up their speed to go over the bar. 
Poles for pole vaulters are usually made of carbon fiber or fiberglass which is a material that is lightweight and offers flexibility they are often coated so that athletes don’t get fragments in their hands and they can be branded and decorated as well. 
Poles can vary in height based on the height of the athlete and based on the height they are trying to achieve. Pole vaulting is like a science experiment, there’s a huge numeral aspect to the entire event. 
Pole vault athletes mark their starting distance, which can vary based on what they’re trying to achieve. They place markings down so they can remember where they started and know where they’re going. 
Simon Thor is preparing for his first attempt. 
Brianna Brandes puts chalk on her hands for extra grip. 
These are fiberglass bars that the pole vaulters are going over, which can vary in color to make them visible against the background.
The Adversities Of Division One Track and Field Freshman Athletes
A closer look into some of the adversities Division 1 track and field freshman athletes may face at Texas State University. Freshmen Shawn Snipes and De’Ayani Jefferson shared their perspectives on what their experience has been like so far.
Charting the Future: Data About Track and Field Student-Athletes At Texas State University
The Graduation Success Rate (GSR) is a metric used by the NCAA and universities to track student-athlete graduation outcomes over a four-year period. This data is released every two years. Finding more recent data has been challenging, but the existing statistics highlight key trends. For example, women student-athletes consistently graduate at higher rates than their male counterparts.
This graph illustrates the graduation success rate of track and field student-athletes at Texas State University. It suggests that roster size reductions due to NCAA limits may influence these numbers over time. By examining the challenges and stories of student-athletes, we gain valuable insights into the barriers they face in completing their degrees.
For the 2022–2023 academic year, tracking the career paths of former athletes proved surprisingly difficult. Many athletes seem to “disappear” post-graduation, but with resources like LinkedIn, the Texas State website, and Facebook, I was able to identify trends.
Career outcomes were categorized into seven main fields. Both men’s and women’s teams showed similarities in areas like education, where each had five athletes pursuing careers. However, there were notable differences, such as:
- Women had 13 athletes in non-traditional roles compared to 9 men.
- There was a surprising lack of representation in healthcare, government, and engineering.
- Business-related careers emerged as a popular choice for many athletes, while some pursued unique, self-defined paths.
This section, presented in a chart format, illustrates the challenges of becoming a professional track and field athlete. With limited audience engagement and funding, few athletes continue to compete professionally.
At Texas State, over the past six years, the number of athletes transitioning to professional track and field has been minimal. However, those who do pursue this path achieve significant milestones. Some have competed at the world championship level, a remarkable feat given the school’s track and field history.
This data highlights the logistical and financial difficulties in sustaining a professional athletic career, especially in sports like track and field.
Data Source Collection
Over two weeks, Daniel Herald conducted thorough research, utilizing the links listed below to gather specific information about Texas state track and field athletes. If you would like to review a detailed report of this research, it is available upon request.
Social Media: Sharing The Great News About Track and Field
Here’s a glimpse into the social media posts that I created for a few stories. For more details, please visit the social page listed in the images.
To effectively reach the track and field audience, I focused on Twitter (X) for quick, engaging promotional teases designed to drive clicks to the article. On Instagram, I capitalized on its visual nature to share in-depth photo and video content that resonates with the audience’s preferences. By cross-posting, I maximized reach while tailoring content to each platform’s strengths. The posts are showcased below.
